KCSE History and Government Notes

On 12th December 1963, Kenya became independent under KANU led by Jomo Kenyatta. In 1964, there was voluntary disbanding of KADU and APP making Kenya a de facto one party state. There was abolition of Federal Constitution in favour of a Unitary or Republican Constitution.
 
The post of an executive president was created to replace the post of Prime Minister. In 1966, the Limuru conference presided over replacement of the Vice-President of KANU With seven Provincial Vice Presidents and one for Nairobi Area.
 
On 14th April 1966, Oginga Odinga resigned from KANU and Government and formed Kenya People’s Union (KPU) where Bildad Kaggia, Achieng Oneko and Tom Odongo joined him.
 
In 1966, the bicameral legislature (the senate and the House of Representatives) was disbanded. A single –chamber parliament was established.
In 1966, Joseph Murumbi was appointed the country’s vice-president to replace Oginga.
He resigned in 1967to pave way for Moi’s appointment.
 
1969 witnessed the political assassination of the flamboyant Tom Mboya in the hands of one, Nahashon Njenga on 5th July on Nairobi’s Moi Avenue.
1n 1969, KPU was banned following riots in Kisumu.
 
In 1975, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki. MP for Kinangop was found brutally murdered in Ngong Forest.
 
In October 1975 martin Shikuku and the deputy speaker, Jean Marie Seroney, were arrested and detained for making claims in the house that KANU and parliament were dead.
 
In 1976, Chelagat Mutai, MP for Eldoret North was arrested and jailed for 2½ years for inciting his constituents to violence. In 1977, George Anyona, MP for Kitutu was also arrested after he accused the government of corruption.
 
In 1976, the change the constitution campaign was began by Kihika Kimani, Dr. Njoroge Mungai, Jackson Angaine, Paul Ngei and Njenga Karume with the objective of making sure that the then vice president, Daniel Arap Moi would not succeeded the president. On 22nd august 1978, Jomo Kenyatta died and Moi assumed presidency for 90 days and was finally elected as second president of Kenya.
 
In July 1980, Moi banned all tribal organizations, the Kenya Civil Servants Union and the Nairobi University Staff Union.
 
In June 1982, after an attempt by Anyona to form a political party, section 2A was introduced in the Kenyan constitution making it a de jure one party state.
On 2nd august 982, Kenya experienced a coup d’etat by some air force servicemen.
 
Charles Njonjo, the Constitutional Affairs Minister was accused of masterminding the coup.
 
In 1988, KANU introduced the infamous Queue voting method (mlolongo) that was open to abuse.
 
In February 1990, Dr, Robert Ouko, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation was murdered.
 
The better part of 1991 witnessed a series of tribal clashes involving Kalenjin and Kikuyu, Kalenjin and Luhya and Luos.

In December 1991, a parliamentary act repealed the one-party system provisions of the constitution and effectively established a multiparty system. The first political party to be formed under the repealed act was Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) In august 1992, one of the leaders of FORD Masinde Muliro died mysteriously.
 
The first multiparty elections were held in 1992 in December. KANU won against a disjointed opposition.
 
In 1994, the official leader of the opposition and MP of Bondo, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga died.
 
After 1997 elections, the Inter-Parliamentary Parties Group ((IPPG) passed the reforms that marked the genesis of the constitutional review process.
 
In 2002, several opposition parties formed a coalition that overwhelmingly defeated KANU in the general elections.
 
In January 2003, the National Rainbow Coalition formed the new government with Mwai Kibaki as the president.
 
In august 2003, Wamalwa Kijana, the vice president of the coalition government died after a short illness. Mood Awori was appointed the next Vice president.
 
In 2005, a new political movement, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was formed as a campaign tool against the proposed new constitution. Raila Odinga was its leader.
 
The general Elections of 2007 resulted in a political crisis that provoked an unprecedented wave of political violence and killing across Kenya.
 
On 28th February 2008 the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan succeeded in brokering a power sharing deal between the incumbent President, Mwai Kibaki, and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga thus bringing to end the political violence.
 
On April 17, 2008, Raila Odinga, from Orange Democratic Movement, was sworn as Prime Minister of Kenya, after more than forty years of the abolition of office.
 
On 28th august 2010 Kenya promulgated a new constitution thus making it the first independent African state to depart from the independence constitution.
 
In 2011, the International Criminal Court seating at the Hague, begun criminal proceedings against Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, former police Commissioner Hussein Ali, Henry Kosgei, the head of public service Francis Muthaura and a journalist Joshua Arap Sang over their involvement in the 2008 post-Election Violence.
 
In June 2011, Dr. Willy Mutunga became the first Kenya’s Chief Justice and Nancy Makokha Barasa, his deputy under the new constitution.
 
The Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) was also replaced with the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC

​The first meeting in Lancaster in 1960 resulted in an interim constitution that failed to grant any substantial autonomy to Kenya.
 
The second Lancaster conference in 1962 negotiated a framework for self government.
The third and final conference in 1963 resulted in the drafting and adoption of Kenya's first independent Constitution by the British Parliament
 
The 1963 constitution marked the end of colonial rule and transformed the colony into a dominion.
 
It established a parliamentary system with executive powers vested in a cabinet headed by a Prime Minister.
 
The Constitution was changed in 1964 and Kenya became a republic and the executive became presidential. The senate and regions were also abolished.
 
In 1966, the voting majority to change the Constitution was lowered to two-thirds of the
MPs. The term ‘region’ was replaced with ‘province.’
 
In 1966, a constitutional amendment abolished the Bicameral Legislature and replaced it with a Unicameral Legislature, chosen directly by the electorate.
 
On 28th April 1966, an amendment was passed to compel MPs who defected from sponsoring party, to resign from parliament and seek re-election.
 
In May 1966, the Public Security Act was passed empowering the president to detain a citizen without trial on grounds of being a threat to state security.
 
In 1968, the president was empowered to alter provincial and district boundaries. In 1968, the procedure for presidential elections and succession in the event of his
 
death was laid down. The age qualification for presidential candidates was also lowered to 35 from 40 years.
 
In 1974, an amendment of the constitution empowered the president to pardon any election offender at his own discretion. This was done to favour Paul Ngei.
 
In 1975, Kiswahili was declared the national language of the national assembly.
 
In 1977, the Kenya court of appeal was established after the breakup of the East African Community. Voting age was lowered from 21 to 18
 
In 1979, both Kiswahili and English were declared languages of the national assembly. In 1982, Kenya became a de jure one party state. KANU became the only lawful party in Kenya.
 
In 1987, the security of tenure of the Attorney General, Chief Secretary, The Comptroller and Auditor–General was removed. Office of chief secretary was abolished.
 
In 1988, the security of tenure of Puisine Judges and Chairman of Public Service Commission was removed.
 
A parliamentary act in December 1991 repealed the one-party system provisions of the constitution and effectively established a multiparty system. Multiparty elections were held the following year in December.

• In 1997, Parliament passed the Constitution of Kenya Review Act that set the pace for comprehensive constitutional reforms. The Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC) was established to provide civic education, seek public input and prepare a draft constitution).
• In 2005, after many years of struggle, the draft constitution was ultimately rejected by Kenyans at the constitutional referendum because of disagreements amongst various stakeholders.
• 28 February 2008 The National Accord and Reconciliation Act (NARA) signed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga put in place arrangement for a new process to finalize the long awaited constitution of Kenya
• In 2008 the Constitution of Kenya Review Act 2008 was passed and a Committee of Experts (CoE) was established as the main technical constitutional review organ to drive the process. The CoE was chaired by Nzamba Kitonga, the deputy chair was Ms Atsango Chesoni, other members were Ms Njoki Ndung'u, Mr Otiende Amolo,Mr Abdirashid Hussein Mr Bobby Mkangi Professor Christina Murray (South Africa) Dr Chaloka Beyani (Zambia) and Dr Frederick Ssempebwav (Uganda.
• 23 February 2009 Members of the CoE were appointed by the President were later on sworn in
• On 17 November 2009 CoE released the draft to the public and invited views and comments on the draft constitution,
• By 23rd February 2010. CoE had submitted the final draft of constitution to the Parliamentary Select Committee.
• On 4th august 2010 Kenya held a Constitutional Referendum where the new constitution was overwhelmingly endorsed.
• On 28th august 2010, the new constitution was promulgated and became operational making Kenya the first independent African state to depart from the independence constitution.

1. It manages public land on behalf of the national and county governments.
2. It advises the national government on a comprehensive programme for land registration throughout the country.
3. It investigates present and past historical injustices, as a result of a complaint or on its on initiative, and recommends appropriate action.
4. It has a duty to encourage the use of traditional methods of dispute resolution in land conflicts.
5. It recommends the national land policy to the national government.
6. It assesses tax on land and premiums on immovable property in any area designated by law.
7. It monitors land use planning throughout the country.

After independence, the government encouraged small scale farming of coffee and tea as opposed to large scale farming that existed during the colonial period.
 
The Agricultural development corporation (ADC) was set up to manage large scale farms that were established by the government in western, Rift Valley and Coast provinces. Such farms specialize in production of seeds to be used by farmers for planting. They also specialize in production of high quality dairy and beef cattle in Kenya.
 
The government also established the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) in Muguga near Kikuyu to assist in identifying good crop breeds for different types of soils.
 
Irrigation Schemes were expanded in the marginal areas. For example. Mea (central), Bura (coast), Ahero (Nyanza) and Perkerra (central)
 
The government created development authorities to effectively manage water catchment areas. For example, TARDA, KVDA and LBDA

1. The 1984 drought and famine in various parts of the country occasioning supply of relief food to the affected regions.
2. Rapid increase in population which is not at pace with the rate of increase in agricultural production.
3. From the late 1970s, the world market prices of agricultural commodities fell drastically yet the inputs remained expensive.
4. Corruption and mismanagement of the cooperatives leading to meager earnings for key cash crops in Kenya.
5. Grabbing of research land by corrupt government officials has affected the operations of the research institutes.
6. The problem of poor infrastructure in the country sometimes discourages farmers especially during the rainy season.
7. Ethnic clashes in Molo in 1991-1992, Likoni in 1997 and Mahi Mahiu in 2005 plus the post election violence in 2008 discouraged farmers from intense farming due to insecurity.
8. Poor technology hassled to low yields. People in Kenya still rely on natural rains for agriculture instead of using irrigation. Others use primitive traditional tools in cultivation.
9. The problem of pests that destroy the farm yields before reaching the factory.
10. ​Competition from COMESA member states and from the more industrialized powers such as the European Union and USA often frustrate Kenyan farmers.

Kenya’s industrial sector was shaped by the long period of colonization. At independence, industry was characterized by dominance of foreign capital and dominance of the agricultural sector.

1. The existence of raw materials, such as trona (soda ash) at lake Magadi, fluorspar at Kerio Valley and lime in several parts of the country.
2. Existence of fish resource from numerous water bodies has promoted the fish-processing industry.
3. Existence of expansive forests which provide timber needed in the furniture industry.
4. The rich scenery, e.g Mt. Kenya, Mt. Elgon, the Aberdares and rich wildlife have promoted the tourism industry.
5. Kenya’s rivers have enough water for production of HEP.
6. Increase in population since the colonial period ensured supply of labour and the market required for industries to flourish.
7. The transport and communication infrastructure have provided the necessary link between the material producing zones , industries and markets..
8. ​Existence of rich agricultural lands producing raw materials such as coffee, tea, sugarcane, sisal and fruits

1. The government engaged on decentralization programmes to spur development in new areas. Industries were established in rural areas.
2. The government has embarked on the programmes of funding new markets for industrial products.
3. Infrastructure was improved through establishment of more roads, railways and improvement of water transport, to-transport raw materials labour and goods.
4. Power concerns were addressed through construction of the Seven Forks Dam to supplement power from neighboring Uganda.
5. Favourable government policies have been put in place to attract investors.
6. The government has put in place measures to reduce imports in order to protect local infant industries. E.g discriminative tariffs were introduced.
7. The government encouraged and assisted in giving capital for industrial development through development of the co-operative movement, funding through Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation(ICDC) , the Development Finance Company of Kenya.(DFCK) and the Industrial Development Bank.
8. ​The government has ensured political stability in the country, which is an important factor in industrial development.

1. The problem of multi nationals whose interests do not favour Kenya’s progress.
2. Multi-national co-operation repatriate capital to their own home countries
3. There is shortage of strategic raw materials e.g. petroleum, diamond. Cotton for textile industries. Many industrial companies use imported raw materials. c) Foreigners, who pass policies not friendly to the country, hold managerial positions in industries.
4. Mismanagement of major industries and lack of transparency I parastatals.
5. Over concentration of industries in few areas leading to negligence of other areas. It also has led to related problems of industrial concentration like the social ills.
6. Competition from the industrialized nations who dominate the market and produce high quality goods.
7. Poverty limits industrialization. A poor population means a small domestic market thus hindering industrial development.
8. Products are produced with low technology hence small quantities. 

Further reading on industrial development should be done with reference to evolving world book 4 pages 162-164 

EDUCATION
​To solve the problems inherited at independence in the education sector (poor quality education and poor facilities available the Kenya children), the government undertook the following measures;

1. Constitutional amendments were made in 1975 to give Kiswahili a respectable position in the country.
2. Several educational Commissions were set up to streamline education.
3. ​The Harambee strategy was employed to expand educational facilities.

1. The Kenya Education Commission (1964) (The Ominde commission) that recommended overhaul of curriculum to make it relevant.
2. The National Committee on Education Objectives and policies- Gachathi commission (1976) that looked into he possibility of setting up a second university
3. Presidential Working Party on the Second University- The Mackey commission (1982) that established the 8-4-4 system and proposed emphasis of vocational subjects such as art and craft, music, agriculture and Home science
4. The Kamunge commission (1988) which recommended cost-sharing in education
5. ​The Koech commission (1999) which recommended reintroduction of A-level system in form of Totally Integrated Quality Education and Training.

In 1975, Kiswahili was made the official languages of parliament and learning in schools. The ministry of education established structures right from the district level to national level to help in fulfilling the national objectives of education.
 
Several education commissions were set up to streamline education.
 
The harambee strategy was employed to expand education facilities. Many schools were built.
 
In 1980, the government took over the responsibility of providing pre-primary education.
 
In the 1990s, the government in collaboration with UNICEF launched a programme to promote early childhood education.
 
By1998, the total number of students in the various universities was over 40,000. In 1969, the ministry of education took over the administration of primary education from local government, this witnessed increased enrolment.
 
In 1978, the government introduced the school milk programme to encourage children especially in drought prone areas to go to school.
The programme stalled in 1990 but had achieved higher enrolment in schools.
The Ministry of education launched school feeding programme, targeting dry areas.
 
In 2002, the NARC government introduced the ‘Free Primary Education’ policy.
 
Further reading be done from evolving world on Elementary education and Tertiary education in Kenya

MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH SECTOR IN POSTCOLONIAL KENYA​

1. The ministry of health was created to oversee health matters.
2. Expansion of health facilities through harambee and donor funds e.g. Nyanza Provincial hospital (Russian Hospital)
3. Many health training institutions were started e.g. Medical training colleges
4. Improvement in hygiene through provision of piped water.
5. Establishment of several research institutions on human diseases e.g. KEMRI
6. Provision of more basic education in order to uplift hygiene standards in the society.
7. ​Provision of free antiretroviral and antimalarial drugs.

1. Increase in population has posed major challenges to the government in the provision of healthcare services to its citizens. There has been a challenge of inadequate doctors and medical facilities.
2. The cost- sharing policy introduced in the 1980s to help buy medicine and other equipment has prevented the poor from going to the hospitals.
3. The spread of HIV and AIDS and other diseases such as Diabetes and Heart diseases has worsened the situation.
4. Cultural practices like Female mutilation have made provision of medical services more challenging.
5. Pollution of the environment has increased allergy-related ailments, many of which have no cure.
6. Poverty and malnutrition render many people vulnerable to diseases.
7. Illegal abortion and early pregnancies endanger the lives of mothers.
8. ​High rate of accidents and injuries , especially on roads.

1. Creation of the ministry of culture and social services. The ministry promotes cultural and social values.
2. The syllabus has been tailored to include cultural studies.
3. Inclusion of music as a subject in the national curriculum.
4. The government has encouraged music/drama festivals on an annual basis as way of promoting cultural exchange.
5. The government has encouraged intermarriage between different ethnic groups.
6. The government has developed cultural heritage centre at the Bomas of Kenya, National Archives and Museums.
7. Schools have been encouraged to admit people from different communities.
8. Allowing the media houses to play traditional music/dance. 

Students Read on sports, literature, theatre, music and dance from evolving world page 174.